Suarez emerged as a substitute after the break to again become the central character in controversy, as a clear handball preceded his scoring of Liverpool's crucial second goal.

Daniel Sturridge announced his arrival as a Liverpool player with an early debut goal
following his move from Chelsea
as Brendan Rodgers's team dominated the first half.

All-rounder Suarez

Luis Suarez and Victor Moses are the only two players to score in all competitions this season

Mansfield, however, were subjecting Liverpool to a sustained assault in a second-half spell that persuaded Rodgers to introduce Suarez - and the Uruguayan obliged with the all-important goal, but with a helping hand that left the Stags and their fervent fans infuriated.

Referee Andre Marriner and his officials saw no offence and it left Mansfield with too much to do, despite Matt Green setting up a frantic closing phase by pulling a goal back 11 minutes from time.

The pre-match build-up inevitably focused on the prospect of Mansfield claiming a Premier League scalp - but Liverpool wasted no time in reminding their hosts of the reality of that task.

Liverpool gave an immediate debut to Sturridge and left Suarez on the bench, and the former Chelsea man punctured the optimism around Field Mill within seven minutes, applying a composed finish to Jonjo Shelvey's precise pass.

Phil McNultyChief football writer, BBC Sport

"If you go to the Uruguayan looking for the romance of the cup you have come to the wrong place. He does not do romance when it comes to football and this was no different"

The same pair combined to cut Mansfield open once more but this time the striker took his time and allowed Stags' keeper Alan Marriott to make a one-handed save.

Mansfield's main danger in the opening 45 minutes was the colossal throws of defender Exodus Geohaghon. He had several opportunities in the first half but Liverpool dealt well with the threat.

The non-league side were not short on endeavour but Liverpool's pace and quality, understandably, was often simply too much for Mansfield to cope with. Stewart Downing saw a powerful drive blocked as he drove into the area, while Shelvey was a prominent figure.

While Mansfield remained only one goal in arrears there was always hope - and their spirits were lifted when Green's powerful shot drew a smart save from Liverpool keeper Brad Jones.

Sturridge was enjoying the space and service afforded to him in his first Liverpool appearance and he forced Marriott into another fine fingertip save with an angled effort.

The Stags gave Liverpool anxious moments early in the second half as Anthony Howell and Louis Briscoe brought blocks from Jones, the signal for a busy second half for the Australian.

Leaky Liverpool

The last time Liverpool kept a clean sheet in the FA Cup was in the 2008-09 third round, a 2-0 win over Preston

As Mansfield grew in confidence, the visitors were placed under heavy pressure and Jones saved once more from Briscoe. Liverpool then survived an almighty scramble as Jones clawed away an effort from John Dempster who touched on Geohaghon's header.

Rodgers wasted no time in responding, removing Sturridge and Suso for Suarez and Jordan Henderson.

The introduction of the Uruguayan worked as Rodgers intended, the striker putting a stop to Mansfield's revival, but only after the ball clearly struck his hand before he put the ball away.

Once Mansfield's heads had cleared from Suarez's controversial goal, they came again and Green established the platform for a grandstand finish, in which he tested Jones once more, but Liverpool survived.

52:36 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Chris Clements, Exodus Geohaghon takes a shot. Blocked by Sebastian Coates. Matt
Green takes a shot. Brad Jones makes a save. Effort from inside the area by Daniel Sturridge misses to the right of the goal.

52:23 Louis Briscoe takes a shot. Brad Jones makes a save.

51:33 Matt Green takes a shot. Blocked by Jamie Carragher.

49:05 Close range header by John Dempster goes wide of the left-hand post.

48:28 Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Chris Clements, Jamie Carragher makes a clearance. Lindon Meikle takes
a shot. Save made by Brad Jones.

48:08 A cross is delivered by Louis Briscoe, clearance by Jamie Carragher.

16:56 The ball is crossed by Jonjo Shelvey, Lee Beevers manages to make a clearance.

14:59 Foul by Lee Beevers on Jesus Fernandez Saez, free kick awarded. Strike comes in from Jesus Fernandez Saez from the free kick.
Jonjo Shelvey has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide left of the goal.

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Comments

He tried to move his hand out of the way, and the way he kicked the ball afterwards clearly showed that he expected the whistle to be blown. As for kissing he hand he always does that. I don't think that it was deliberate.

How come that the FA are not takeing action to a deliberate cheat that was done on pitch with saurez hand mansfield town players and the fans did not need to be let down surely there should have been a replay as there was between the Bradford and Bolton game where they got reassigned back into the tournment all us fans have been cheated is there another chance of the FA reconsidering

Did Liverpool really have to resort to cheating to get past a lowly Conference side ? And that after Mansfied made a moving gesture toward the 96 of Hillsborough. LFC are a shambles. Oh and their merseyside neighbours clinically dispatched a league one side 5-1 this evening in the same competition without the need for cheating.

Absolutley amazing how Utd fans call suarez a cheat for that, just shows what short memories they have. Remember Nani v Spurs? A dive, a handball then scores? And they say Suarez is unsportsmanlike. Hypocrisy at its ultimate best

Fergie is willing to listen to offers for Howard Webb, he likes the look of Mike Dean as his replacement. He is worth at least 6 points a season.It will be Howard's last game for Man You after the weekend after some poor performances only one sending off and penalty against Liverpool.

I find it weird when I look through the last few pages of comments how many Man Utd fans feel the need to comment on a football match between Mansfield and Liverpool. The majority seem to be from hate filled Utd fans.

Gents, you do your club no favours. Some fans have something to say but they are in the minority, most are pretty childish.

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